State of Sale - Part II

By Whaley Shark
February 9 2007

Following on from his previous musings, the Whaley Shark looks at other aspects of club life and decides he’ll definitely avoid a job swap with Niels de Vos.

 

 

Last time, I looked at some of the questions surrounding the playing side of the Sharks. What happens on the pitch is complemented by a whole range of off-the-field activities. However, it is not immediately clear which field we should be thinking about over the next few years. If GP rules say that we need to play in a 12500 seat stadium over the next few years and eventually in a 15000 seater, where are we going to find that? Do we expand Edgeley Park, or look elsewhere? Relations with County and with Stockport MBC are clearly complex and, at times, difficult, as the row over the Booth Street land illustrates. Many of the things which we fans find frustrating- the position of the big screen for televised matches, chopping and changing over the tented village, not carrying drinks down the street, also seem to have their origins in the delights of negotiating with Stockport Council which must be about as much fun as talking to the RFU.

Which brings us finally to the fans. With everything that’s going on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride for us all, and we are already sensitive. We get up tight about all sorts of things- losing games, being called “customers”, not playing “the Sale way”, the tented village, season ticket prices, Diet Coke prices, wasting money by sending mailshots to people who already have season tickets, the inconveniences associated with playing in a football stadium, DVDs that are delayed…..

So, if I ruled the world (or at least ran the club), what could I do in the face of all this lot other than take to drink? Much of it is way, way outside the club’s control, the outcome can’t be foreseen and in some cases won’t be known for many months or even years. Yet, these factors will have far-reaching effects on every aspect of the club’s life. They also link together- why spend millions on the ground if the RFU is going to pinch our best players and set up a “Manchester Maulers” franchise, for example? This must lead to conservatism in the club at exactly the time when we want and need to make big changes - all that is practical is to fight the club’s corner and try and keep the show on the road. I believe we, the fans, understand that the club’s powers are limited in these areas, and we don’t expect the impossible. We may not like what’s imposed, in which case we will moan, and we may even be able to help by moaning to Stockport Council or our MPs.

We need to try and get to the bottom of our injury problems and also our inability both to use our backs and to score tries. Our injury problems have probably put paid to real achievement this season, but let’s be sure that, if the injuries arise from something we are doing, we stop doing it now, before things get even worse, and start building for next season. As a spectacular winger in his playing days, PSA is surely in as good a position as anyone to diagnose problems in our back play and come up with solutions- I hope he’s on the case.

However, where the club has control, it could do much better. The tetchy atmosphere on this board has significantly improved since NdV talked direct to the Supporters’ Club, so why not communicate more with us? We are on your side and we are (most of us) understanding, so tell us a bit more about what’s happening. If DVD production is delayed, tell us, don’t just let it fester. If you want to sort the catering but can’t because the current contract has a year to run, say so, and tell us about the changes you intend to make. Tell us what silliness is a result of Stockport Council’s requirements- at least we won’t blame you then. Perhaps even tell us what is the club’s fault. You started down this road with a fans’ focus group but what’s happened to that? You obviously can’t let us know about commercially sensitive things like ground expansion, but even a “Can’t say anything now” or “We are thinking about it” would help. Swanny does it all the time with his “Ink not dry” over player contracts. Talking of Swanny, I think you’re working him too hard (keeping us lot at bay, dealing with the press, programme editor and Lord knows what else) and he could perhaps do with a little helper. That might allow a resurrected focus group and a half page or page of genuine club news (not marketing opportunities) every couple of weeks in the programme, also on the website and emailed to your mailing list, and that might make us feel much more loved.